Table 1.
Description of independent variables
| Predisposing factors | |
| Age | Age group: 3 = 20–24 years, 4 = 25–29 years, 5 = 30–34 years, 6 = 35–39 years, 7 = 40–44 years, 8 = 45–49 years, 9 = 50–54 years, 10 = 55–59 years, 11 = 60–64 years, 12 = 65–69 years, 13 = 70–74 years, 14 = 75–79 years, 15 = 80+ years |
| Sex | 0 = female, 1 = male |
| Minority | 0 = white or not stated, 1 = visible minority |
| Education | Highest level of education: 1 = less than secondary education, 2 = secondary graduate and no or some post-secondary education, 3 = post-secondary graduate, 4 = currently in school, 99 = missing |
| Enabling factors | |
| Home ownership | Whether a member of household owns the dwelling: 0 = no, 1 = yes, 99 = missing |
| Household income | Household income adjusted for the number of people living in the household: 1 = lowest income, 2 = lower middle income, 3 = middle income, 4 = upper middle income, 5 = highest income, 99 = missing |
| Self-help group participation | Attendance at self-help group: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Sense of belonging to community | Strong sense of belonging to local community: 0 = no, 1 = yes, 99 = missing |
| Need factors | |
| Health Utilities Index | Health states, continuous: 0 = death, 1 = perfect health |
| Self-perceived health | 1 = excellent, 2 = very good, 3 = good, 4 = fair or poor, missing = 99 |
| Stress | Amount of stress in most days: 0 = not at all or not very stressed, 1 = a bit stressed, 2 = quite a bit or extremely stressed, 99 = missing |
| Depression | Periods during which the respondent felt sad or depressed or lost interest in everyday things within the past 12 months, categorical: 0 = no or mild depressive symptoms, 4 = maximum, 99 = missing |
| Activities of daily living (ADL) | 0 = no activity limitation or not stated, 1 = sometimes has activity limitation, 2 = often has activity limitation |
| Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) | Needs help for preparing for meals, shopping for necessities, housework, heavy household chores, personal care, or moving about inside the house: 0 = no, 1 = yes, 99 = missing |
| Birth | Has given birth in the past 5 years: 0 = no, 1 = yes |
| Injury | Injured in the past 12 months: 0 = no, 1 = yes |
| Number of chronic conditions | Number of chronic conditions: 0 = 0, 1 = 1, 2 = 2, 3 = 3, 4 = 4+, 99 = missing |
| Food allergies | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Other allergies | Allergies other than food allergies: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Asthma | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Arthritis | Arthritis or rheumatism: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| High blood pressure | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Migraine | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Urinary incontinence | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Diabetes | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Chronic bronchitis | Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Heart disease | Heart disease or angina: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Cancer | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Stomach or intestinal ulcers | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Bowel disorders | Bowel disorder or Crohn's disease or colitis: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Eye problem | Cataracts or glaucoma: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Thyroid condition | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Epilepsy | 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome | Chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities, or fibromyalogia: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Stroke | Suffers from the effects of a stroke: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Health behaviour | |
| Overweight | 0 = underweight or acceptable weight, 1 = overweight, 99 = missing |
| Smoking | 0 = never smoked, 1 = former smoker, 2 = current smoker, 99 = missing |
| Drinking | 0 = not regular drinker, 1 = regular drinker, 99 = missing |
| Physical activity | 1 = moderate or inactive, 2 = active, 99 = missing |
| Fruit and vegetable consumption | Total daily fruit and vegetable consumption: 1 = less than 5 servings per day, 2 = 5+ servings per day, 99 = missing |
| Alternative health care | Consulted alternative health care provider (e.g., acupuncturist, homeopath, or massage therapist) for physical, emotional or mental health for the past 12 months: 0 = no or not stated, 1 = yes |
| Health services system | |
| Province of residence | 10 = Newfoundland, 11 = Prince Edward Island, 12 = Nova Scotia, 13 = New Brunswick, 24 = Quebec, 35=Ontario, 46 = Manitoba, 47 = Saskatchewan, 48 = Alberta, 59 = British Columbia |